Carli Clesmere 
If you’ve noticed a strong odor near 13th Street + Willow Avenue in Hoboken recently, you’re not alone. The smell is coming from the former Sunoco gas station site at 1301 Willow Avenue, where environmental remediation work is currently underway as part of the property’s private redevelopment. Now, the City of Hoboken has shared an update on what residents should know. Read on for more about the former Sunoco site odor in Hoboken and the latest on the remediation work.
What’s Happening at the Former Sunoco Site
We first reported on the construction at the longtime Sunoco gas station and mechanic shop at 13th Street + Willow Avenue earlier this year, after the site was blocked off and the gas pumps had been removed. As of June 16th, 2026, the City of Hoboken has shared a new update on the remediation work, specifically regarding the strong odor residents have been noticing in the area. According to a City advisory, the odor is coming from the former Sunoco site, where environmental remediation work is taking place as part of the property’s private redevelopment.
What the City Says About the Odor + Air Quality
Per the City, several agencies have visited the former Sunoco site in response to resident concerns, including the City of Hoboken Health Division, Hoboken Fire Department, Hoboken Office of Emergency Management, the Hudson Regional Health Commission, and a Licensed Site Remediation Professional, known as an LSRP, overseeing the project on behalf of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Air quality testing has been conducted at the site, and according to the City, results showed that air quality levels remain within acceptable standards. Based on the testing and information provided by the LSRP, the City says the odor is not considered hazardous and does not pose a risk to public health or safety.
The City says excavated soils are being stockpiled on site with additional plastic sheeting before being removed for disposal by the end of this week, which may cause additional odors. During remediation, the LSRP is conducting continuous, real-time air monitoring along the site perimeter and in areas most likely to be impacted.
To help reduce the smell, soil stockpiles are being covered when not actively being moved, contaminated soils are being transported off-site as quickly as possible, and excavated areas are being backfilled to minimize emissions. If monitoring detects sustained elevated readings above established action levels, work will be paused immediately and additional odor-control measures will be put in place until conditions return to acceptable levels.
While the odor has been deemed nonhazardous, the City says it is continuing to work with the property owner, environmental professionals, and regulators to monitor conditions, reduce odors, and complete the remediation work as quickly and safely as possible.
What’s Next for the Hoboken Sunoco Site
Remediation work is expected to continue in phases throughout the summer. At this time, no additional work is expected next week, but soil removal from the site will continue in stages on and off throughout the summer months. The City will also require the developer and LSRP to provide a weekly schedule look-ahead, which will be posted on the City’s construction updates page to help keep residents informed about scheduled work and monitoring measures.
Residents with odor complaints can contact the Hudson Regional Health Commission at 201-223-1133 or the NJDEP hotline at 1-877-WARN-DEP. We’ll update this story as more information becomes available.
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